Parlor game of base-ball



(No Model.) I

' J. H. GAIE'FNEY.

PARLOR GAME OPBASE BALL.

No. 347,704. PatentedAug.,17, 1886.

Inventor? Wz'tmsaw N. PETERS. Phnlo-bthugrapiwr. Washington. ma

UNITED STATES PATENT QEEICE.

JOHN- H. GAFFNEY, OF \VOBOESTER, MASSACHUSETTS.

PARLOR GAME OF BASE-BALL,

SPEGIFIGATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 347,704, dated August 17, 1886. Application filed December 18, 1885. Serial No. 186,037. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JOHN H. GAFFNEY, a citizen of the United States, residing at VVorcester, in the county of Worcester and State of Massachusetts, have invented a new and Improved Parlor Game of Base-Ball; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, which, in connection with the drawing, forming a part of this specification, will enable others skilled in the art to which my invention belongs to make and use the same. I 1

My invention relates to a parlor game of baseball, to be played by means of the apparatus shown in the drawing; and it consists in a dial .or diagram marked off in a novel way, in combination with a pointer for designating the points of the game, in the manner to be hereinafter fully described.

The accompanying drawing shows a top or plan view of my base-ball game apparatus, which consists of a dial or diagram, A, divided off into nine divisions or parts, B, corresponding to the number of players 011 each side in a base-ball game. The divisions B are designated by the terms employed in a baseball game-namely, by the words catcher, pitcher, first base, second base, third base, right field, center field, left field, and short stop and these terms may be arranged in any order on the dial A, as preferred, each division B representing theterritory of the player whose name appears therein.

Each division B may, ifpreferred, be designated by a pictorial illustration representing the player to whom the division belongs, either with or without the words, as above mentioned, or letters standing for said words.

Each division B of the dial A is in this instance divided into four parts or divisions O at its outer edge, thus dividing the dial A at its circumference into thirty-six parts.

The four divisions O of each division B are designated in this instance by the letters B. H., 1 .0., E, and P. 0., except the catchers division, where there is no B. H., but 1?. 0. instead. Saidletters above mentioned stand for the words base hit, put out, and error, respectively, which terms are some of those used in scoring a game of base-ball. Any other terms employed in scoring the game may be used in lieu of those given above, if preferred. Instead of the letters as shown in the drawing, the words may be Written out in each of the divisions C, if preferred, and instead of the words written out in the divisions B only the letters to designate the players may be used, if preferred.

The arrangement of placing the letters of the divisions O in each division B may be changed and varied as desired; but I prefer to have P. 0. occur twice, B. H. once,

players territory except in the catchers territory, where there is no opportunity for a i base hit according to the prevailing rules of the game of base-ball, and therefore P. 0. occurs three times and E. once in this division.

-It will be readily seen that each division B, or each player s territory, may be divided up into a greater number of divisions C than shown in the drawing, or even a less number, it only being desirable that each players territory should have the same number of divisions and the same corresponding letters for designating the terms employed in scoring a game of base-ball except the catchcrs territory, as above mentioned.

At the center point of the dial or diagram A apin or stud projects up, up0n which a pointer, D, turns in either direction. The pointer D may be made of any shape or configuration desired; but the end a thereof should be made tapering or pointed and extend out to the circumference of the dial A, as shown in the drawing.

The manner of playing my parlor base-ball game will be readily understood from the following description, in connection with the drawing. I

The game is designed to be played by two persons, each person representing a base-ball club, and the score can be kept in the same way as it is kept in the regular outdoor-game of base-ball. The person who is to play first turns or revolves the pointer D in either direction, and at whatever division 0 on the -dial A it stops he counts that point either in favor of or against the player in whose territory the end a stops. For instance, if it stops in the pitchers territory at P. 0., that indicates that the striker was put out by the and E. once in each division B, or in each pitcher. The pointer D is then revolved a second time by the same person for the second striker or player. Suppose the point a stops at 13.11. in the short stops territory; that indicates a base hit in his territory, and the striker gets his first base. The pointer D is revolved a third time and the pointa stops at E. in the catehers territory; that indicates an error by the catcher, the striker get his first base, and the man on first base gets his second base. The pointer D is revolved a fourth time. Supposing the point 0 stops at B. H. in some players tcrritory,the striker gets his base, and there are then three men on the bases and one out. The next striker goes in, the pointer D is revoived a fifth time, and again stops at B. 11., thus each man gets a base. This will give one run to the inside and leave three men on bases. The next two strikers are both put out, the pointer D stopping at I. O. twice successively, thus making three men out, leaving three men on bases, and counting one run for that inning for that side. The otherside then go in to take their turn at the bat, and the person representing that club turns the pointer, and the game is played and scored as described above. So the game proceeds until nine innings have been played. If at any time the point a of the pointer D stops exactly on one of the points I), then it counts for neither side, and the pointer D is revolved again.

I prefer to stamp or print the dials or diagrams A upon paper or card-board or other equivalent material, and then secure the same upon a board or solid base of any desired shape, either round, square, or of other shape. I also prefer to have the pointer D revolve or turn, as above described; but, if preferred, said pointer may be made stationary and the dial revolve.

Having described my improved parlor game of base-ball, What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

A base-ball game apparatus consisting of a dial or diagram having nine divisions,provided with characters to indicate a set of nine baseball players, each of said divisions havin subdivisions furnished with letters or words used in scoring a game of base-bail, in combination with a pointer, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

JOHN H. GAFFNEY.

\Vitnesses:

JOHN G. DEWEY, FRED. W. SMITH. 

